aisha
Aisha's Final Assignment — Defining Costs, Revenue, and Funding
Project: Separate Somali Language Classes (in-person, held on Saturdays)
Task 1 — My Project
My project is to organize separate Somali language classes for community members who want to learn or improve their Somali. The classes are held in-person on Saturday mornings and are open to children, teens, and adults who want to connect with the Somali language and culture. I believe language is a bridge — it connects people to their roots and to each other.
Task 2 — My Costs and Expenses
To run my Somali language classes, I need to think carefully about what it will cost to get started and keep things going.
My main costs include:
| Expense | Type | Estimated Cost | |---|---|---| | Printing community surveys | One-time | $15 | | Paper and stationery supplies | Variable | $20/month | | Advertising for international language classes | Variable | $30/month | | Printed learning materials | Variable | $25/month | | Venue (community centre, donated) | Fixed | $0 |
Estimated initial investment: approximately $90 to get started
Most of my costs are low because I am partnering with a local community centre that is offering the space for free. My biggest ongoing cost is printing materials and advertising to reach families who might benefit from the classes.
Task 3 — Revenue Sources
My Somali language classes are not focused on generating revenue. This is a non-profit project — my goal is to serve the community, not to make money. Because of this, I am not charging families to attend.
Instead of revenue, I am focused on impact — how many people I can reach, how many families feel more connected to their language and culture, and how sustainable I can make the program over time.
If costs increase in the future, I might explore small donations from community members who want to support the program, but for now the focus is access and inclusion.
Task 4 — Funding Strategy
Because my project is non-profit and focused on community benefit, I need to find funding that matches those values.
My funding strategy: Connect with Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada is a non-profit organization that provides mentorship, learning resources, and financing to young entrepreneurs aged 18–39. They partner with Business Development Canada (BDC) to offer startup loans and business coaching.
Even though my project is community-focused rather than profit-focused, Futurpreneur's resources around planning, budgeting, and building a sustainable initiative are exactly what I need. I can also look into:
- Community grants — local foundations that support cultural and language programs
- School board partnerships — who might fund Saturday language enrichment
- Donations from community members — small contributions add up
The key is finding partners who understand and share my vision of cultural preservation and community connection.
Task 5 — My Lean Canvas: Cost Structure and Revenue Streams
Cost Structure:
- Paper and stationery
- Printing costs (surveys, learning materials, advertising)
- Advertising to reach families in the community
Revenue Streams:
- Not revenue-generating — this project addresses an in-person class gap in the community
- Connect with Futurpreneur Canada for mentorship and potential funding support
- Explore community grants and cultural organization partnerships
What problem does my cost structure solve? By keeping costs low (free venue, printed rather than digital materials to reach families without reliable internet access), I can serve more people and make the program sustainable without needing large amounts of funding.
Task 6 — Reflection
This assignment taught me something important: where there is a will, there is a way.
When I first thought about costs, I felt overwhelmed. Printing, advertising, materials — it adds up quickly. But then I realized that the key is finding the right partners who understand your vision.
The community centre offered their space for free because they believe in what I am doing. Futurpreneur Canada exists to help people like me who want to create something meaningful. These partnerships don't just reduce costs — they multiply impact.
I also learned that for a non-profit project, avoiding loans is important. Taking on debt to fund a project that doesn't generate revenue would create pressure that could distort my mission. Instead, I need to focus on grants, donations, and community partnerships that align with my values.
My biggest takeaway: connect with non-profit organizations that share your goals. You don't have to do this alone, and the right supporters will help you go further than you ever could by yourself.